SCWB Media Founder Kirstie Nicole Builds an Independent LGBTQ+ Media Company Around Human Connection

Kirstie Nicole, Founder and CEO of SCWB Media, built an independent LGBTQ+ media company around human connection and an audience of more than 800,000.

By Herald Staff · Nov. 12, 2026, 1:15 PM ET

Kirstie Nicole, Founder and CEO of SCWB Media, is building an independent LGBTQ+ media company in Los Angeles that aims to amplify underrepresented voices through original editorial content, interviews, podcasts and creative collaborations.

SCWB Media stands for She Comes With Baggage Media. Its guiding belief, Nicole says, is that people are more alike than they are different.

The Company

SCWB Media describes itself as an LGBTQ+ media company that uses storytelling to change how people see the world and each other. Its work includes the SCWB Podcast, original editorial features, entertainment coverage and conversations with changemakers.

"Our work is for the LGBTQ+ community, but it's also for anyone willing to listen, learn and get curious about the world around them," the company says. "Representation isn't just about seeing yourself in someone else's story. It's about discovering a piece of yourself in someone whose life looks nothing like yours."

The company's stated aim is to create a platform where stories spark conversations, conversations create understanding and understanding has the power to change culture.

The Founder

Nicole is an award-winning talent and entrepreneur who has built a global audience of more than 800,000 across social media. She was named WITS Creator of the Year in 2025 and received The Points Guy Trailblazer Award in 2023. She has collaborated with Google, National Geographic and Virgin Atlantic.

She is the host of the SCWB Podcast and the founder of The Amistara, an international friendship-first community spanning more than 17 countries. SCWB Media's YouTube channel has more than 22,000 subscribers.

In 2026, Nicole presented at the IGLTA Global Convention in Los Cabos, Mexico, on authentic LGBTQ+ representation and values-driven partnerships. She was also invited by Focus Features to conduct red carpet interviews at the Los Angeles premiere of Sense & Sensibility.

The Story Behind the Name

Nicole's career began in travel, digital storytelling and content creation. As her audience grew, she wanted to create something with a broader cultural impact. The result was She Comes With Baggage, an idea built on the notion that everyone carries experiences that shape who they are, and that there is power in sharing them.

Nicole says her own experience growing up queer in the American South shaped the mission. "Those early experiences ultimately shaped my career and my belief that storytelling is one of the most powerful tools we have to influence culture, challenge perceptions, and create meaningful human connection," she says.

The Problem It Addresses

"For far too long, LGBTQ+ stories have either been left out of mainstream media or told through the same limited narratives," Nicole says. SCWB Media works to create space for stories that help people understand experiences outside their own.

"When we make room for more stories, we make room for more understanding," she says. "And I believe that's where real cultural change begins."

Looking Ahead

SCWB Media plans to expand internationally in 2027, beginning with London and the UK. The company will add new voices to its podcast and feature more artists, creatives and changemakers through its editorial platform. It also plans to grow its presence in arts and entertainment through original storytelling, talent interviews and coverage of cultural events.

Nicole's long-term vision is to build SCWB Media into one of the most influential independent LGBTQ+ media companies in the world.

Advice

"Stop waiting for permission to build the life or career you envision for yourself," Nicole says. "If there's no seat for you at the table, don't be afraid to build your own."

Learn more at www.scwbmedia.com. Follow Kirstie Nicole on Instagram at @kirstienicole_ and TikTok at @kirstienicole__, and follow @scwbmedia and @scwbpodcast.

Provided by the subject and SCWB Media.